One Outfit For Life is a clothing related project asking the question; ‘If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?’
The idea explores why we gravitate to certain looks; outfits that work for the various aspects of our life—work, home, hobbies, going out with friends—, whilst also reflecting our unique personalities. In this series, we ask people of different styles, professions and ages to think about what they wear and why one outfit is the best fit for their life and why each interviewee came up with their particular outfit ahead of all other available choices.
Here we speak with the fabulous Jennie Wilmoth of the Old Macaroni Factory in Hepburn who makes a strong case for the combination of a long Fox fur coat, Japanese denim, Australian work boots and vintage sunglasses.
You can follow on Instagram at OneOutfitForLife.
If you could only wear one outfit, what would it be and why?
A fur coat. And if it’s really cold, add a fur hat and scarf. There is nothing worse than being cold. Then add jeans, whether they are big and baggy or tailored, denim or canvas, but always pants and either a beautifully cut shirt, crisply ironed, or a crumpled linen shirt in pastel tones depending on how I’m feeling. Lastly, work boots.
How does this collection of clothes allow you to move between the various aspects of your life?
I’m a great believer that any outfit, worn with confidence, will be appropriate in any forum. Fur coats don’t have to register with people. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in this outfit I am neither over-dressed nor under-dressed. And with jeans and shirt underneath the fur, it throws the expected norm ‘under the bus’.
Describe this style:
Eclectic and wildly practical.
List what you are wearing:
Fur coat (fox, 1970s) Fur hat (alpaca), sunglasses (from a vintage shop), scarf (Paul Smith, early 2000s), denim pants (Japan, this year), shirt (Cubec, early 2000s), work boots (Redbacks, insanely comfortable, and leaves people wondering, “why” …)
If money was no object, what is the ultimate version of this outfit?
Nothing changes … except maybe a new Paul Smith scarf, one not eaten by moths!
What is the origin of this look for you?
In the mid 1970s whilst op shopping, a beautiful 1950s old fur coat caught my eye. When I discovered how warm they are, like your own central heating unit, I was hooked. Riding my Vespa on a cold winter day, with safety jacket underneath, a fur coat provides excellent warmth. Those synthetic jackets don’t ‘breathe’ so it’s a cold warmth they provide. But this old fur got to live another few years, providing a very useful function. I now have a coat for every occasion and replace them as they disintegrate. They might then be made into a rug but when they are finally past their use-by-date, they are buried in the compost, where they take only weeks to become part of the life cycle again.
How do you feel when you wear this?
Warm. Comfortable. Happy. Confident.
Imagine you were put in charge of designing a capsule wardrobe based around your style. What would it comprise?
Because I’ve kept a lot of my clothes since the 1980s, I have pants for any occasion, and shirts. The fur coats and hats could be refined. For the capsule; pants, low-rise, maybe 1970s flares, groovy belt, paisley shirt, kangaroo fur coat, and Alpaca fur hat … with suede work boots.
